Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters

The Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters are fully soil-biodegradable, twin-walled shelters designed to protect young trees from wildlife browsing while encouraging healthy growth and development.

---

About Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters

Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters offer the same proven benefits as the recyclable Vigilis range, with the added advantage of full biodegradability. Made from plant-based materials, these shelters are 100% soil-degradable and non-toxic, helping trees thrive by increasing survival rates, reducing damage from wildlife, herbicides, and weeding, and promoting healthy growth in the early stages.

Benefits of Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters:

• 2 years of true biodegradation - where all that remains after this period is biomass, water, and minerals that nourish soil bacteria and microbes

Extensively tested over five years with laboratory and field trials, Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters provide reliable protection and a cost-effective alternative to plastic guards, eliminating the need for removal, recycling, and disposal.

---

No plastic, fully biodegradable

Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters are fully soil-biodegradable and entirely plastic-free.

Crafted from a unique blend of potato, wood, corn, and a custom biodegradable polymer, they require no industrial composting. After biodegradation, they leave no microplastics or toxic residues behind.

Protect the future of forests sustainably with Vigilis-Bio.

---

Benefits of the product

Biodegradable In Situ

• Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters are backed by a third-party opinion letter from the renowned OWS testing lab, affirming their biodegradability.
• The material is commercially tested to meet the soil biodegradable standard ISO 17556.

Commercially Available

Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters are produced on a large scale, featuring:

• Use of commercially available raw materials
• Material compounded in the UK
• 24/7 manufacturing operations
• Ongoing development to expand production capacity

Bio-Based Materials, Proven to Protect

Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters are crafted from a sustainable blend of potatoes, wood, corn, and a custom biodegradable polymer. Three years of extensive lab testing confirm that these shelters protect young trees for a minimum of five years before naturally breaking down, ultimately nourishing soil bacteria and microbes as they decompose.

---

Features of the Product

Twin-wall tube construction - The twin-walled construction provides strength to the tree shelter while keeping it lightweight.

Flared Rim - The flared rim minimises stem abrasion.

Laser Lines - The laser line enables the shelter to naturally split open as the tree grows.

Relesable Cable Tie - Comes pre-fitted with releasable and reusable cable ties.

Light Transmission - Transparent design facilitates light transmission, promoting optimal tree growth.

Nests of 5 - Packaged in sets of 5 for convenient storage and transportation.

---

Heights to be considered

Determine the specific animal you want to protect your plants from, as this will guide the required height and support stake for effective protection. Based on the chosen height, tree shelters can provide defense against voles, rabbits, hares, and deer.

Rabbits - 0.6m

Hares - 0.75m 

Muntjac deer - 1.2m

Fallow deer - 1.5m 

---

Laboratory Testing

In partnership with Biome Bioplastics, the Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters were designed with a clear goal: to offer tree shelters that are entirely plastic-free and 100% soil-biodegradable while retaining the durability and effectiveness of traditional models.

An investment of over £350,000 in research and development led to testing over 750 material blends, simulating mechanical properties, weathering, and biodegradation in extensive laboratory trials. The selected formula - crafted from potatoes, wood, and corn - provides robust protection for young trees for at least five years.

Rigorous Testing and Validation:

• Accelerated weathering: 2,500 hours, representing five years of exposure
• UV and moisture resistance assessments

Field trials are underway across the UK to validate these lab results, and third-party accreditation from the renowned OWS lab supports Vigilis-Bio's soil biodegradability, verified under ISO 17556 standards.

---

From Lab to Forest

The laboratory findings for Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters are currently being validated at over 70 monitored field trial sites throughout the UK.

• Onsite measurements and observations are conducted to assess both the condition of the shelters and the health of the trees.
• Lab samples are sent for testing of strength, flexibility, and degradation.
• Results are consistently compared to their predictive model and against traditional plastic alternatives.
• Vigilis-Bio are compiling a comprehensive database to analyse how different site conditions affect the product's performance.

Vigilis-Bio is collaborating with forestry partners nationwide, as illustrated on the map showcasing their tree shelters installed at monitored locations across the UK, including:

• Exposed sites with high wind and rain exposure
• Partially shaded areas
• Sites experiencing high browsing pressure

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Are plastic-free, biodegradable tree shelters the way forward for the forestry industry?

It is increasingly recognised that leaving conventional tree shelters in the environment post-use is neither environmentally nor socially acceptable, as they fragment into long-lasting “microplastics” in the soil. Additionally, the collection of these shelters after use poses significant challenges and costs. We believe that the future of Vigilis Tree Shelters and the forestry industry lies in offering a solution that can remain in place after use and biodegrade safely and efficiently, without producing harmful microplastics.

What are Vigilis-Bio plastic-free tree shelters made from?

Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters are crafted from a proprietary blend of biomaterials derived from potatoes, wood, and corn. The cellulose structure of these materials is utilised to produce a bio-based polymer. This unique combination has been selected to ensure the necessary functional performance - providing at least five years of tree protection - while also facilitating effective biodegradation at the end of their life cycle and minimising environmental impact during production.

Are the materials used in Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters sustainably sourced?

Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters are produced using derivatives of potatoes, wood, and corn, sourced from materials that would otherwise be considered waste. The potatoes used are scraps from the potato industry, specifically damaged or misshapen ones. The corn comes from a variety that is not intended for food production, while the wood is sourced from paper mills as a byproduct. This sustainable sourcing supports a circular economy, ensuring that Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters are environmentally friendly and contribute to waste reduction.

Has there been a whole-life analysis on the effect of biodegradable tree shelters on our planet?

Their prototype tree shelters have undergone a desktop Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) conducted by a third-party organisation, specifically the Bangor University BioComposites Centre. Initial findings indicate that Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters have a 35% lower carbon footprint compared to polypropylene shelters, measured from raw material production through to end-of-life.

Is the Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelter range available for commercial supply

Yes, Vigilis-Bio operate manufacturing facilities 24 hours a day, six days a week, and have been fulfilling global commercial orders for Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters for several years. Prior to launching commercial supply, they invested over four years in research and development. A dedicated project team of five conducted laboratory tests on more than 750 product samples, assessing mechanical properties, weathering, and biodegradation over a simulated seven-year period at a cost of £500,000. They are currently conducting ongoing field trials with selected customers to validate the performance of products across a range of real-world sites and conditions.

How should Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters be stored? Should Biodegradable Tree Shelters be stored differently to conventional tree shelters?

We recommend storing Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters in a protected environment, such as a cool, dark barn, if they need to be stored between planting seasons. This helps prevent UV exposure, which can lead to the deterioration of the tree guards.

How should Vigilis-Bio tree shelters be installed? Is it different from conventional tree shelters?

The installation process for Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters is the same as that for conventional polypropylene tree shelters. Vigilis-Bio provides the same protective benefits as traditional plastic, but it is designed to biodegrade at the end of its useful life.

Vigilis-Bio have developed their Tree Shelters to maintain the same essential properties as traditional recyclable shelters, including features such as a twin-wall structure, flared rim, and laser line for easy installation and optimal performance.

What is the light transparency of a Vigilis-Bio tree shelter?

Light transmission was a crucial factor in the design of Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters, as it plays a significant role in the growth of young trees. While there is no specific ISO standard for measuring light transmission and varying opinions exist regarding the importance of different light colors, Vigilis-Bio shelters achieve a light transmission rate of 70% to 80% when measured using white light (a combination of various colors). This level of transmission is comparable to that of the standard Vigilis product, ensuring adequate light for healthy tree development.

Are Vigilis-Bio tree shelters as mechanically robust as their polypropylene equivalents?

Yes, the testing of the physical strength, flexibility, and tear resistance of Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters shows that they are comparable to the existing recyclable Vigilis tree shelter products. As a result, you can expect the same level of protection for your trees, but without the need to collect the shelters at the end of their life cycle.

How long will Vigilis-Bio tree shelters protect young trees for?

Vigilis-Bio plastic-free tree shelters are engineered to provide effective physical protection for growing trees for about six years. Beyond this timeframe, the shelters will start to disintegrate. In some climates and weather conditions, they might endure for a bit longer, but this extension generally amounts to only an additional couple of years.

Are Vigilis cable ties made from biodegradable materials?

Vigilis-Bio produce both standard and biodegradable cable ties. Their biodegradable cable ties are made from the same bio-based blend of materials as our Vigilis-Bio Tree Shelters, though they feature different structural properties. We have dedicated significant effort to ensure that these cable ties are both releasable and biodegradable. They can be purchased alongside our biodegradable tree shelters for an additional cost, upon request.

How do Vigilis-Bio tree shelters embrittle and fragment whilst supporting the tree’s growth? 

Vigilis' biodegradable tree shelters are engineered to "age" according to a predetermined rate that is optimized for the local climate. Once installed, the sunlight and rain start to break down the bio-based polymer chains, gradually weakening the material. As this deterioration occurs, the shelters will begin to break apart due to weather effects and mechanical forces from the tree's movement. This biodegradation process typically takes about 2-3 years and will commence approximately five years after the tree shelter has been installed.

How can Vigilis be sure that this embrittlement and fragmentation of the tree shelter will occur after 5 years?

Vigilis have tested over 750 samples to investigate how Vigilis-Bio tree shelters age when exposed to light and water. These experiments were conducted in laboratory chambers designed to replicate typical UK weather conditions. After approximately five years, the mechanical strength of the shelters decreases to around 20% of their initial strength, leading to fragmentation under mechanical load. They are confident that the tree shelters will begin to break apart during the period between five and six years post-installation.

What does biodegradable mean? And are Vigilis-Bio tree shelters truly biodegradable?

Biodegradation is a natural process through which organic materials in the environment are broken down into simpler compounds, mineralised, and redistributed. In the case of Vigilis-Bio tree shelters, biodegradation occurs due to the action of microorganisms - specifically bacteria and fungi present in the soil - that utilise complex materials like grass, wood, and the bio-based polymers in the shelters for energy and growth. These organisms effectively "feed" on the tree shelters, converting them partly into their own biomass while releasing waste products such as carbon dioxide as part of the process.

Are Vigilis-Bio tree shelters compostable?

The term “compostable” typically refers to specific testing conducted to determine whether products can be composted in controlled “industrial” or “home” composting environments. While the materials used in Vigilis-Bio have been tested and proven to compost in such settings, we believe it is unlikely that Vigilis-Bio shelters will reach the end of their life in this manner. Therefore, we have opted for more rigorous “soil biodegradation” testing. It is important to note that some 'bio' products on the market may be labeled as compostable but are actually designed for industrial composting, requiring collection from the site and processing at temperatures around 60 degrees Celsius.

How can Vigilis be sure that their tree shelter materials will actually biodegrade?

Rigorous testing confirms that our tree shelters are biodegradable. ISO standard biodegradation testing measures the conversion of carbon from the material into CO2 and biomass by microorganisms. This testing involves placing fragmented Vigilis-Bio material in contact with natural soil samples that contain these microorganisms, allowing for an accurate assessment of the biodegradation process.

Are there circumstances in which biodegradation will not occur?

Biodegradation is a natural process that depends on warmth, moisture, and the activity of microbes found in leaf litter and soil. While arid, wet, or cold conditions can slow down the biodegradation process, it is expected that most planting locations will eventually facilitate this process over time.

Does Vigilis Tree Shelters have 3rd party certification or accreditation as to the biodegradation of Vigilis-Bio? 

Our field-testing portfolio includes materials that have either been tested for biodegradation according to ISO 17556 (a method for determining the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in soil) or are currently undergoing such testing, with the expectation of positive results. This testing method differs from composting standards, both “home” (covered by various national standards) and “industrial” (ISO 17088). However, it closely resembles the real-life conditions in which Vigilis-Bio shelters will be installed. We can provide third-party opinions and results from this testing to customers and other interested parties.